PUTRAJAYA, Jan 8 – The mechanism for fuel pricing in Malaysia has finally been finalized and controlled under one mechanism, which also takes the high and lower income group people into consideration, according to Finance Trade Minister Tan Sri Anuar Ali.

“From May 1, the fuel will be pegged at RM 3.90 per litre for RON97, while RON95 will increase to RM 3.70 per litre. However, the prices of national-made vehicles will be lowered by at least 40 percent. For example, a full-spec family sedan Proton Persona 1.6 litre engine will cost around RM 23,000.00 excluding road tax and insurance. Import tax and excise duty will be revised to only 30 percent, from the current 200 percent. Imported vehicles such as the new Toyota Camry 2.4 litre engine will cost around RM 65,000.00.” he said.

The mechanics has been said to be undertaken by a team of experts from Australia and Canada who were earlier briefed on the issue of subsidy in this country, whereas after consideration by the transport minister, they have signed the constitution that the system will be made on May 1, the day it goes into effect.

Under the new system, there will be a major effect on the existing consumers who have already purchased a vehicle and to those who are in the midst of repaying the loan of their vehicle to their financial institutions.

Ahmad Tajuddin said the government might also re-introduce a cash return annually to Malaysians who own a 1,500 cc and below vehicle. The amount have yet to be decided but he assured that the amount will compensate the price of fuel by at least half to eligible Malaysians based on bumi quota.

ULAN BATOR: About 5,000 protesters took to the streets of Mongolia's capital today demanding that Parliament be dissolved, saying the poor nation's main political parties had reneged on a promise of state aid.

The demonstrators launched a sit-in in Ulan Bator's Sukhbaatar Square and gave lawmakers three days to respond to their petition, warning of further action if their demands were not fulfilled.

"The decisions made by parliamentarians are too unjust and too unfair," one of the organisers, Uyanga Gantomor, told a press conference...MORE

KOTA KINABALU: Former Umno vice-president Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah foresees a PKR-Pakatan Rakyat win in Hulu Selangor if the coalition fields a Malay candidate. He said Pakatan had the capacity to draw Malay votes away from Barisan Nasional if if nominates a Malay candidate who is capable and charismatic.

According to him, BN’s journey towards the Hulu Selangor by-election will be “a long and difficult road.”

“The Hulu Selangor by-election will not be an easy road for BN. PKR is capable of attracting the Malay votes with a Malay candidate..more.

KUALA LUMPUR, April 5: Former Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin is said to be in negotiations to form a new political party friendly to Barisan Nasional.

A reliable source, speaking to Harakahdaily on condition of anonymity, said it believed there had been discussions between Asri and members of Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia (AKIM).

AKIM, a political party with origins in Kelantan, had in August 2008 fielded its president Hanafi Mamat as a candidate in the Permatang Pauh by-election, which saw the return of former deputy prime minister Anwar..MORE ON THIS EX-MUFTI